Does the Mini Cooper (non S) require premium gas? What US octane level? I am considering one for a commuter/fun car, but I would prefer to buy cheaper gas to save money if it wont hurt the car.

 

Everybody is going to tell you to use the search function. But to save you time, look at your user manual, it will tell you to use at least 91 octane. Don't use regular

 

Thank you. Can I use a mix of 89 and 93, we dont have 91 Ok,ok, 93 it is

 

I use 93 in mine, lots of places don't have 91. In the end it's less than $5 extra per fill up - if that's going to make or break your bank account then you probably should consider something else.

 

The truth is, I often hear that people get slightly better gas mileage from using premium in the cars, as designed.

If you assume that Premium is ~10% more expensive than regular gas (.30), and you get ~10% better mileage as a result, then the premium isn't really costing you any more. Plus, you've got more power when you need it (timing doesn't have to be retarded to prevent preignition) and you don't have to worry whether or not you could be hurting your car.

That's how I justify it anyway

 

Yes, you can use a mix of 89 and 93.

 

I am the Queen of Justification, and this is a very good one! I tried to feed my kids well to keep them strong and healthy, why should your Mini expect anything less ?

 

According to my user manual it says that it can run fine on 87 even though 91 is the optimal recommendation. The dealer also told me it could run 87 just fine.

 

Since when is "just fine" ever good enough?

 

 

"Close enough" rarely is.

 

I dunno, "Close enough" and "Just fine" works for me!

Dave

 

Do not run 87 octane in your Cooper, it'll run like crap. Really your are putting at the most 12 gallons in the car and that's if you area really empty. At $.20 more then regular, premium will cost you at most $2.40 more per fill up, that's nothing in the grand scheme of things. If money is that tight just skip a morning coffee or some other unneeded expense from your week.

 

You put this issue in perfect perspective!!!

 

My manual says 87 is acceptable if I can't find 91+ but my gas cap says minimum 91. What I take from this is that my car probably won't burst into flames if I'm out of gas in the sticks and I need to fill up at Bob's Gasoline Shack with 87, but I always get 91 or 94, because it's only a few bucks and I feel better about it.

 

My gas cap says 89, manual says 87 acceptable but 91 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My justa born Dec 2010

 

Some interesting reading on the topic

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/...s_premium.html

http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...tion-premium-g

 

Those are good articles and each show that premium gas is not "better" for the typical car. However, for Mini's high compression engines, they will run "better" with premium fuel.

 

Is the engine in my Justa considered a "performance" engine? My MA told me I could put regular in her with no issues, but he actually doesn't own or drive a mini .

I put 93 octane in her, anyway...just curious if premium recommended is because its a "performance" engine, or the configuration, or....Mini is in cohoots with the oil companies

 

at 120hp I wouldn't consider the engine to be a "performance" engine.

My last tank was 91 octane. My current one is 87. I can't tell a bit of difference and my mpg seems to be the same if not maybe even slightly better.

 

Hmmm, we don't have 91 here in Maryland, but have 89, however, cost difference not worth the risk....

 

10.6:1 compression ratio is in the performance category.

 

Bingo. In this context it's about compression, not HP output.

 

I get regular gas, usually in the morning, as I'm waking up!

Dave

 

Oh Dave